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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on January 20, 2006
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dei480
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
Received July 11, 2005
Revised November 28, 2005
Accepted December 6, 2005

Article

Profilin and actin-related proteins regulate microfilament dynamics during early mammalian embryogenesis

Vanesa Y. Rawe 1 *, Christopher Payne 2, and Gerald Schatten 2

1 Centro de Estudios en Ginecología y Reproducción (CEGyR), Buenos Aires, Argentina
2 Pittsburgh Development Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Vanesa Y. Rawe, E-mail: vrawe{at}cegyr.com


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Profilins are ubiquitous proteins widely distributed in animals, including humans. They regulate actin polymerization by sequestering actin monomers in association with other actin-related proteins (Arps). Actin remodelling is essential for oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo development; yet the role of profilins in these events is not well understood. Here we investigate profilin distribution and function during bovine fertilization and early embryogenesis, and we examine profilin localization with respect to the co-distribution of other Arps. METHODS AND RESULTS: Western blotting, confocal microscopy with immunofluorescence and protein inhibition studies with antibodies were implemented. Profilin distributes inside interphase nuclei, throughout the cytoplasm and near the cell cortex at different stages of bovine oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo development. Expression is detected through the blastocyst stage, where profilin localizes to the inner cell mass as well as trophectoderm. Profilin co-distributes with actin monomers and Arps vasodilator-stimulated phospho protein, p140mDia, Arp 3 and p80 coilin in pronucleate-stage zygotes. Antiprofilin antibodies inhibit normal embryo development by disrupting microfilaments, but not microtubules, and result in a higher concentration of profilin and p140mDia mislocalized to the cortex. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that profilin regulates actin dynamics both within the cytoplasm and inside the nuclei of developing mammalian embryos and that its function is essential during fertilization to ensure successful development.

Keywords: actin/actin-related protein/embryo development/fertilization/profilin.
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